A Caribou man will spend more than 13 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring spanning Aroostook and Penobscot counties.
U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker handed down the sentence against James King, 54, on Tuesday in Bangor, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
King and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in Penobscot and Aroostook counties from Massachusetts between January 2018 and December 2021. King would acquire drugs from a source in Bangor and then sell them to customers in The County.
The charges stem from a September 2019 stop on Interstate 95 during which Maine state troopers found five pounds of methamphetamine. That stop prompted the investigation into the drug ring that authorities say lasted about four years.
King pleaded guilty on Sept. 25, 2023.
He is the 10th person sentenced in the conspiracy. The following people have been sentenced: Andrew Adams, 32, of Aroostook County will serve 10 years; Wayne Smith, 33, of Bangor will serve seven years; Danielle McBreairty, 33, of Glenburn will serve 20 years; Blaine Footman, 37, of Bangor will serve five years; Nicole Footman, 41, of Holden will serve three years; Matthew Catalano, 37, of Penobscot County will serve more than 13 years; Thomas Hammond, 25, of Charleston will serve seven years; Christopher Coty, 43, of Bangor will serve four years; and Dwight Gary Jr., 53, of Medway was sentenced to time served.
Seven others have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. They include: Sarah McBreairty, 35, of Dixmont; John Miller, 23, of Caribou; Shelby Loring, 28, Bangor; Joshua Young, 48, of Presque Isle; Joshua Jerrell, 30, of Orrington; Carol Gordon, 53, of Bangor; and Jason Cunrod, 42, of Caribou.
